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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Holt County
Holt County lies in the Iowa and Missouri Deep Loess Hills (MLRA 107) region. Elevation averages about 860 feet.
Holt County averages 35.6 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 53.0°F.
Holt County's agricultural base centers on corn, soybeans, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 416 farms working 220,066 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 1,437 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest Missouri |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Horses, Berries, Goats, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Holt County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
118 W Davis St, Mound City, MO 64470
Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.
Forage and Grazing in Holt County
Holt County reported 1,437 head of cattle across roughly 8,232 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows May green-up and a July growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Holt County.
Farm Structure in Holt County
Irrigation covers about 14% of farmland in Holt County, roughly 30,733 acres. Farms average 529 acres, with about 14% classed as small operations. Around 28% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Holt County
Given the operation mix in Holt County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations, and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Holt County Operations
Based on Holt County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Flood management and levee maintenance are critical for protecting high-value agricultural investments. Precision agriculture practices maximize returns on some of the most expensive agricultural land in Missouri.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.
How to find your county's priorities:
- Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
- Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
- Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria
Counties Bordering Holt County
Holt County shares borders with Doniphan County, Kansas, Andrew County, Missouri, Atchison County, Missouri, Nodaway County, Missouri, Nemaha County, Nebraska, and Richardson County, Nebraska. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Holt County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Missouri guide: Missouri Farm Programs Guide
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